3. What are the best time
and place to study?
It is important to establish a routine
for studying, so try to choose the same
time every day, such as early morning,
or late evening, when you are less likely
to be interrupted. Try to create a study
area that is exclusively yours. You will
need a desk or table, a straight-backed
chair, good lighting, and preferably a
door which you can close. If you can’t
secure a quiet room at home, try the
library. Be sure your family and friends
recognize the importance of your quiet
time and avoid interruptions. Have
phone messages taken for you and
avoid distractions like television, radio,
or the internet. Make use of in-between
study time by carrying flashcards or
lists with you during the day to review
while waiting in line, during your commute, or eating lunch.
6 TIPS ON
PREPARING FOR THE
NCLEX-RN EXAM
BY JUDY DRAPER, MSN, CRNP, AND ALICE M. STEIN, EdD, RN
1. How can I develop a
good study plan?
A
rrange to take the exam soon
after graduation, and consider
a review course if you want a
structured study program.
Determine the number of days until
your exam date, and do a self-assessment to decide the length of each day’s
study session. Most people concentrate
best for a one- or two-hour period with
a ten-minute break every 45 to 60 minutes. Once you commit to a date, stick
to it. Daily studying is imperative.
However, if you miss a day, just get
back on schedule the next day. Next,
carefully review your class notes, textbooks, and the Test Plan for the
NCLEX-RN exam. (You can order the
Test Plan at www.ncsbn.org/
publications/ publist.asp. $3 plus $1.00
shipping) to determine the amount of
material to be studied. Divide the
material so that you will review all areas
covered on the Test Plan before your
test date. Most parts of the Test Plan
may only need your review, but you
might be weak in other areas, and these
will require more study time. Form
small study groups for support and
review of materials, and try to study
with at least one other person. This
will provide you with a support system
and makes it easier to stay on schedule.
Group materials according to concepts
and systems using memory aids to help
make studying easier.
NSNA/IMPRINT
2. What are the test
questions like,
and how can I
best prepare
for them?
Arrive at the test
center early, well
rested and alert.
Don’t cram the night
before. Bring your
Authorization to Test
form and two forms of
ID, both with your signature and one with a
recent photograph.
Carefully read and follow all directions. Try
and stay relaxed and focused,
since we tend to make mistakes when
we are nervous. It is imperative that you
understand the test directions. Don’t
read into questions – your first answer is
often the best one. Don’t change your
answer without good reason.
The questions include the Case or
Scenario, the Stem, the Correct
Option, and the three Distractors.
Sometimes all four options seem plausible. In this case, there may be a qualifying term in the stem that will exclude
all but one choice. Look for the key
words that substantiate your choice.
Key words reflect details of the questions and can also include most appropriate initial response, immediate nursing action, and least likely. Remember
the “odd man out” theory: if three of
the answers are similar and one is different, the different one may be the
option. Eliminate obviously wrong
4. What study areas should
I focus on?
The box which accompanies this
article lists test plan categories and the
percent of questions in each area. This
should help serve as a useful guide on
what to study. Also, take as many practice tests and answer as many practice
questions as you can – they are your
best indicator on your mastery of the
material. Review books, courses, and
disks all contain practice tests.
options. Sometimes, three of the
options are correct, but each option
only addresses part of the stem. In this
case, the fourth option will be the
global answer that encompasses the
other three and completely answers the
stem. This is known as an “umbrella”
question. If two options are opposites,
it is likely that one is the answer. If two
options are similar, one may be more
right in answering the stem or both
may be distractors. If an option contains a correct and incorrect fact, it
cannot be the answer. Watch out for
absolutes like “always,” “never,” “all,”
and “none.” There are few things in life
that are always right or always wrong.
Qualifiers are words that help make the
answer correct. Words like “usually,”
“sometimes,” “commonly,” “average,”
and “often” are examples of helpful
qualifiers.
51
5. How can I control my
test anxiety?
Deep breathing, visualization, muscle relaxation, and positive self-talk are
all effective ways of controlling anxiety.
Deep breathing involves breathing
from the diaphragm, similar to the way
babies or children do. Inhale slowly
through the nose, allowing the
abdomen to rise first and then the chest
to fill. Exhale slowly through the
mouth, allowing the abdomen to compress and then emptying the chest.
Repeat this sequence several times, and
you will feel more relaxed.
Visualization involves breathing
deeply as you close your eyes, and
imagine yourself in your favorite place,
such as at the beach or in the mountains. Or, you can bring back a special
moment or favorite person in your life.
Muscle relaxation involves deep
52 JANUARY 2000
breathing, and progressive concentrated
relaxation of various muscle groups,
beginning at the head and neck and
progressing through the rest of the body.
Positive self-talk is one of the most
effective confidence booster theories. If
you think you will pass this exam, you
will. Be sure to increase your confidence
level by reminding yourself of how
much you know and have learned
already, and all you have accomplished
in your career or in nursing school. Negative thoughts will only sabotage you.
There are many videos, CDs , and
magazines that can help guide you in
these relaxation techniques.
6. When and how will I get
my results?
It takes approximately one month to
receive your test results through the
mail. Results are not given over the telephone. Students unsuccessful in the
exam receive a Diagnostic Profile providing information about strengths and
weaknesses in certain test areas and
indicating how close they came to
passing. More information about the
Diagnostic Profile can be found at the
National Council of State Boards of
Nursing web site at
http://www.ncsbn.org/files/nclexinfo.html.
Before repeating the exam, the student
should consider taking a review course.
NSNA and MCP Hahnemann University offer the NSNA NCLEX
EXCEL!tm Course, which includes Prep
for the Boards, Pharmacology for the
Boards and Test Smart: How to Pass
NCLEX-RN. Information about these
courses can be found in IMPRINT, on
the NSNA web site at
http://www.nsna.org/ nclexreview/info.html
and on the MCP Hahnemann University web site at http://PassNCLEX.mcphu.edu,
or by calling 800-666-7737.
Judy Draper is a nurse educator for Continuing
Education, School of Nursing, MCP
Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA,
involved primarily with curriculum development.
Alice Stein is associate dean for
continuing education also at that institution.
TEST PLAN CATEGORIES
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
7-13%
5-11%
12-18%
12-18%
Safe, Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
7-13%
5-11%
Psychosocial Integrity
Psychosocial Adaptation
Coping and Adaptation
5-11%
5-11%
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Prevention and Early Detection of Disease
Growth and Development Through the Life Span
5-11%
7-13%
Source: National Council of State Boards of Nursing
http://www.nsna.org